The European Commission has announced that its €2 Million Horizon prize for better mobility of older people will open for applications from the 27th November 2017 until the 28th February 2019.

It is estimated that the EU’s population is ageing rapidly and that the share of people aged 65+ will increase from 17.5% in 2010 to 29.5% in 2060. The contest will be open to any legal entity or groups of legal entities established in EU Member States or in countries associated to Horizon 2020, the EU’s research and innovation programme. The aim of this contest is to develop innovative and sustainable mobility solutions for senior citizens (65+). This will help to combat social exclusion and support independent living. The prize(s) will be awarded, after closure of the contest, to the applicant(s) who in the opinion of the jury demonstrate(s) a solution that best addresses the award criteria. The solutions submitted – likely to combine technological, social and behavioural features – must be implemented for several months during the contest period. The jury will assess the work and progress made by the applicants during an implementation period of at least 5 months between the opening of the prize and the submission of the applications, based on measurable evidence that they will have to provide.

Applicants will also have to demonstrate that their solution can be scaled-up and replicated in similar or even different contexts.